I've had excellent results with Dr. Leder, such that I went from a mother at home thinking I would…read moreend up bedridden, homebound and never to work again due to my symptoms to having no limits on my physical capabilities, plenty of energy and hope for the future, without limits. I'd tried YEARS of many traditional physicians, accupuncture, chiropractice, chinese "medical" massage, naturopaths, supplementation, psychotherapy, dietary mod. Dr. Leder was my last resort, and everyone tried to talk me out of "wasting my time and money." I was desperate to get my life back.
Please first understand that the functional med process is DIFFERENT from a standard medicine route. Sadly, it's an out-of-pocket, costly endeavor. If you have good insurance, Dr. Leder IS a board-cert'd MD and you may be reimbursed for your visits to her (I am after a deductible). Most of her testing IS covered, completely or partially. Yes, it is extensive and costly, but for good reason - to get to the bottom of why you are not feeling well. Her visits take time and a great deal of evaluation and effort. Her fees are NOT unreasonable, and are less than many other functional MDs and are less than Manhattan. It's only a waste if you don't do everything you MUST DO to get to a diagnosis, and even then, it is a process of healing, follow up testing, there is some trial and error just like with standard medicine (ever take an antibiotic or other drug that disagreed with you, or didn't fully work?). Functional medicine is NOT not a 5 day course of antibiotics where your strep throat stops hurting within a day. Functional medicine works differently, but for chronic situations that are not being treated by traditional doctors, or if your physician simply wants you to take medication for the rest of your life, this is the best option, and worthy of consideration. Again, read about functional medicine and understand how it works and why Dr. Leder charges what she charges and why multiple appointments are NECESSARY. How long have you been suffering your ailments without full relief, or with side effects, or with drugs? Why do you think that standard medicine which is NOT healing you is right and functional medicine is "unconventional?" Be open-minded, read, learn about your options. It's a very valid option.
ALL PHYSICIANS SHOULD BE PRACTICING the way Dr. Leder does. She tests very extensively to find the UNDERLYING reasons for various conditions, something typical physicians don't do, either on ideology or training. Bloodwork and other testing gives FACTS, and she continues to test over time to reevaluate what your body needs. She has outstanding educational credentials and many years of experience. She's bright and intuitive and truly seeks to help her patients. Her office has improved significantly on efficiency, timeliness and easy of use, her staff is friendly and pleasant and checks messages/returns calls on days when she is not in the office. Renewals on prescriptions are taken care of timely, even when Dr. Leder is out of the office. The office is shared and while a bit old, like many physician's offices, it's clean and the waiting area is nice. There's a blood-draw company on site which is very convenient. I never wait more than a few minutes for her - 15 maximum.
Dr. Leder is bright and cares about her patients. She has good intuition and is reachable via e-mail as needed. She pulls no punches - very honest and "tough love." If she tells you she needs a test or not to eat certain foods, you have to do it if you want a result. There were times I wanted to quit and felt frustrated by the process, which evolves over time. It took me 6 months to feel a bit better, and a year to really be on my way. It was worth EVERY PENNY, EVER HOUR in the office and traveling to and from, every recommendation that I just didn't want to hear. She identified things that my GP totally MISSED and should not have. I would not be well and writing this review if I had not found her and stuck with her, done the testing, paid for the visits and supplements. And the alternative? I don't even want to think about it. I was SO unwell.
Be honest with yourself - the money people spend on all sorts of activities and eating out, gifts...stop making excuses just because you can go to your regular doctor for a small copay and get your medications for a small copay. If you don't feel well, consider functional medicine, understand the process (and that it takes time!) and if it makes sense for you, call Dr. Leder. Follow through on everything! You can join Weight Watchers, but if you don't follow the plan it doesn't work! And even WW takes time - sometimes a lot of time, a lot more $ than you'd expected. For me the results with Dr. Leder were enormously positive!
Remember prior reviews here are quite old, before she made staff changes in her practice, and people tend to only write reviews when they are dissatisfied.
